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I'm just a girl who loves being a mom and wife. I am also a freelance illustrator who loves to paint, draw and craft. Whimsy studios is the fusion of my need for a creative outlet and the inspiration that comes from my whimsical life.

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April 2012

April 14, 2012

We always drive. We actually enjoy the road trip! This time, it was a little more stressful because of the crazy spring break traffic, which we had never experienced before. But, it was still fun. The best part of our road trip was the stop half way there to see my sister, brother-in-law and kids in Georgia.

It was only one overnight, which was entirely too short, but it was so great to see them!

We brought Kismet along with us on this trip. She's simply too old and fraile to board at the vet, so we checked Sunny in for a week and Kismet got to go with us. Katie said, "she's really checking a lot of things off her bucket list this week!" Hilarious!

She was a pampered pooch and i think she enjoyed herself. The kids set her up with a cushy bed in the van.

She was a little confused about the rental house and it took her a few days to get the feel of her surroundings. But, for the most part, she did wonderfully.

Mark does all of the driving...by choice. And, I don't usually sleep during our drives. I love looking at and taking pictures of the signs, the other cars, unusual sights, funny things, weird things. Here's just a few of the things i captured...

this is always a uneasy sight...

we've past these signs for years...what is Rock City? and, will i ever see it? probs not...

About half way between home and Florida is McDonough, Georgia!

And, if that weren't cool enough, the next town over is Griffin, Georgia! Oh yes, he loves driving past all of the signs with his name on them.

We bought the Hunger Games audio book and loaded it on my iphone and listened to it the whole way there.

Katie was the only one who had read it and seen the movie. Then, for the trip home, we uploaded the 2nd Hunger Games book. We still haven't finished it. It was very long! On the last day of break, we took the kids to see the movie. It was really good. It's a very sad story and a little bit disturbing, but going to the movies was a fun way to wrap up our break.

Sunny was so happy to have us home. We couldn't wait to see that face again!

April 13, 2012

We got outta Dodge last week and hit the open road {actually, it was pretty congested and backed up!}...

This was the first time we have ever gone south for Spring Break. But, this was not our typical vacay where we spend lazy days on a beach. Nope. This was a vacation on the go. We packed a lot of action in our week. We went to visit my parents in The Villages, Florida. They had spent the winter there, renting a house and deciding whether or not they should make a permanent move there. It's a huge retirement village. And, it is way cool. It's a golf cart community. Everyone has a cart. My kids LOVE this!

{typical sights in The Villages}

lots of fancy, tricked out carts, too...

I spied this one at Target down there and think i could rock it when i'm a golden girl someday...

My parents took us to a polo match in The Villages. Never been to one before. I wondered if i would need to channel Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman and wear a brown/white polka dot sundress and large straw hat.

But, no...we were golf cart tailgating at the match! Wear your shorts, tshirts and pack a cooler! My kinda polo match! After the 5th chukka (time periods in polo - you are welcome for this new tidbit of knowledge), everyone goes out onto the field and stomps down the divots that the polo players and horses have made during the match. {just like they say in Pretty Woman, "beware of steaming divots!}

Then, these yellow hummer golf carts come out to the center of the field and everyone lines up and they pour you a free glass of champagne! Nice! Hooray for new and fun experiences!

These Villages folks really do know how to party! Every single night there is live music, dancing and happy hour in the Village Square.

I'm pretty sure we all packed on a few pounds, as Mom treated us to her amazing home cooking. She spoiled me with my most favorite dish in the whole world, her eggplant parmagiana and we also enjoyed her famous macaroni and meatballs...

The Villages is in central Florida, so we took a day trip to Daytona Beach with my folks and my cousins. We had never been there. Driving on the beach was different and my kids had never been in the Atlantic Ocean, either! They loved body surfing in the waves, but i think my Dad loved it the most...

PawPaw treated everyone to ice cream from this huge ice cream truck on the beach...

We also spent a super fun day in Disney World. We were about an hour and 20 minutes from Orlando, so the trip wasn't bad at all. {more on this day to come!} We ♥ Disney World...never stops being magical for us!

We had so much fun visiting my folks, doing puzzles, watching movies, going on golf cart rides, easter egg hunting, hanging out by the pool and playing this hilarious game with our cousins...

Headbandz...have you ever played it? We laughed and laughed! Who knew it could take you an hour to figure out that you are a pickle?

The best part of our trip was just being together.

{kids driving golf cart...when i found this one on my iphone...i cracked up. Riley, keep your eyes on the road!}